Import a STL format file

Read 3dfaces defined in an ASCII or binary format STL file.

Access methods

8 Toolbar: Import_stl_32x32.png

8 Menu: ComputationalCAD † Import † Import STL

7 Command entry: CC:IO:STLIN

Dialog for ASCII format

Insert on layer [Current/specify Name/by STL] <by STL>:   
Specify the layer the faces will be inserted.                    
<Current>:       The points will lie on the current layer.   
<by STL>:                    The points will lie on a layer named by the solid name in the ASCII STL file header. If the layer does not exist, it will be                           created. (Default)         
<specify Name>:          The following dialog is displayed:

        Specify layer name:
Enter the name of the layer the points shall be added to. If the layer does not exist, it will be generated.

Dialog for binary format

Insert on layer [Current/specify Name] <Current>:   
Specify the layer the faces will be inserted.                    
<Current>:       The points will lie on the current layer. (Default) 
<specify Name>:          The following dialog is displayed:

Specify layer name:   
Enter the name of the layer the points shall be added to. If the layer does not exist, it will be generated.

Note

ASCII or binary format STL will be detected automatically.

Some elder STL formats may only accept positive coordinates. ComputationalCAD for AutoCAD accepts both positive and negative XYZ coordinates. However, you will be warned if negative coordinates have been detected during read.

In both ASCII and binary versions of STL, the facet normal should be a unit vector pointing outwards from the solid object (“right hand rule”). ComputationalCAD for AutoCAD ignores facet normal vectors. However, you will be warned if inconsistent facet normals have been detected.

In binary STL, ComputationalCAD for AutoCAD accepts color information in VisCAM / SolidView format (RGB information in the attribute byte count, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STL_(file_format) ).

Coordinates always refer to the WCS.

Example ASCII STL format command line output

STL solid name                : surface

Number of triangles read      : 126523

Number of degenerate triangles: 0

Has negative coordinates      : False

Inconsistent facet normals    : True

Solid inserted on layer surface

Example binary STL format command line output

Number of triangles read      : 126523

Number of degenerate triangles: 0

Has negative coordinates      : False

Inconsistent facet normals    : True

File contains colors          : True